Jada Salter (JS) and William Salter (WS)

JS: As a kid, when I would come to your house, I would always hear you humming. Even when we’re eating, you hum in between the bites. And that is a huge part of what I think of, when I think of Grandpa — your sound.

WS: You know, my mother used to tell me, “children were to be seen and not heard.” We had little or no conversation. She was a day worker, she would go out and clean people’s houses. And so I was always by myself and lonely. But I had the radio [laughter] and songs that I could whistle or sing.

WS: So the radio and I embraced each other.

JS:  Grandpa, could you explain how you found your instrument?

WS: Yeah, very simple. Junior high school. When I got to the music class all the instruments were taken. All that was left were three stringed basses standing against the wall. It was either that or I didn’t do anything. So I took what you get.

WS: But I had no complaints. Because prior to getting involved with music, I was just another kid on the block, without knowing who I was. But when music and I became one, I found myself.

WS: I would walk down the street with the bass on my back and people would just stand back. I walked like I was somebody special. And with that bass, I’ve been able to get as far as I’ve gotten.

JS: I remember when I was about eight you were playing the song ’Just the Two of Us.’ And you said that was your song that you wrote. When I heard the lyrics I just imagined in my head Grandpa and I. 

WS: [Laughs] I used to babysit you a lot. It was very meaningful to have this very precious time to share with you in a way that I didn’t have when I came up. 

JS: You know, you’re very precious to me. And sometimes I get scared that once it’s your time I’m not going to have you….

I was blessed enough to have you for these years. And hopefully, I pray, I’ll have you for a whole lot more! But, I realize that song is an example of how you’re still gonna be there. You’re always gonna be there.